New Luggage

[Hedgetrimmer]

Just been looking at how to fit some new Oxford luggage I've got. (RT60 & RT30 tailpacks) The idea is that you use Velcro straps to attach to the seat, and straps with double-D rings to tighten everything down. Well, I've gotta say it, I don't like them. I don't particularly trust the D-rings to stay tight when holding down the bulk and weight of my camping kit. The under-seat strap has to be velcroed very loosely or else the seat won't click locked. The larger of the two packs goes on first, and then you're supposed to be able to strap the smaller one on top. However, there are less attachment points on the bags than with the older style stuff. But I think I'll be cargo-netting and bungee-ing everything on in my usual, perhaps Heath Robinson, but much more secure way. Disappointing.    (but goes to show that I'm not overly biased towards the company I work for  ). 

[andybesy]

Oh you work for oxford? I have some feedback for you ;-)

My 'first time' luggage suggested it was good up to about 60mph

But I have tested this and confirm it's good up to 130.

You can now update your book. That is all. :-)

Ps) before anyone shouts at nd this was on autobhan in Germany, entirely legal and possibly even safe

It's been my first luggage been pretty pleased with it for price

[Hedgetrimmer]

Thanks Andy. Obviously when they say limited to 60mph, they're giving themselves a good bit of leeway for safety's sake. If it's all strapped on securely and not overloaded then it's no real surprise that it was OK over this speed. But I do have to be careful about replying on behalf of the company, as I'm just a lowly warehouse worker (I work in the returns dept. Department? There's two of us!), so my comments tend to be from the point of view of just a user, like everyone else.
Still on the subject of fitting soft luggage, anyone hit on a really brilliant way of protecting the paintwork from it all? The so-called blankets I don't like much, as they seem to melt at the slightest provocation. Thinking of trying a really soft fleece. Any better ideas?

[dazza]

Yep, get some givi hard luggage

[andybesy]

Yeah I picked up some minor marks from the bungees, not so much to the paint as to the stickers towards rear of bike.

Temporary solution was insulating tape around the harder parts of the bungee.

Before next major trip plan to get some clear sticky protector film, like this:

http://www.getgeared.co.uk/Universal_Protective_Invisible_Foil?sc=28&category=206

I'm also considering DIY options like making some simple stand-offs with polystyrene or similar.

PS) Yup I appreciate you don't represent the company, I was just joking around really. I always add extra straps beyond standard ones.

Andy

[ddtwelve]

Can we get cheap heated grips from you before the winter rush ??

[Hedgetrimmer]

Sigh... I'm sure once I get over being such a tart about this bike I'll probably wind up with a top box and rack. It's not even as if it's a pristine example. But I definitely don't want panniers cos I always try to keep the luggage from getting any wider than the bars so I can forget about it when I'm filtering, and I really don't want all that racking stuff all over it. I know I'm just too lazy to keep taking it off again whenever a trip is done. Wish I could afford two bikes. 
With bungees, I usually make sure they're long enough to double up so that only the cord is anywhere near paintwork, but even slight rubbing from this can damage the finish. With a Pacsafe mesh around the luggage, you have almost infinite choice of where your bungee hooks go, but then of course, you really don't want that mesh on the paint!
I had some flexible foam packing before that I wrapped around the frame and grab rails, but don't have anything like that knocking around at the moment. I'll figure something out...
I think the only way you guys are going to get discount stuff from companies like Oxford Products, is if FOC-U as a body opens an account of it's own with them. I have no real idea what their reaction to such a request would be, but might be worth trying if there's enough interest. But working in the bike trade is one way I've been able to keep my own costs relatively low.

[bri h]

Hi nick. I bought a 65 litre dry sack from get geared. Its big enough to get everything in including the tent (when its packed up). My right hand pannier melted and the flip flops inside melted and set fire to my hoodie and trousers inside. Lucky i stopped for a break at the sevices and noticed before it got to bad. I must admit i was caning it a bit though not 130.

[ChristoT]

You've seen how I load the bike up with my Oxford panniers - never had a problem, and they're rock solid, even overstuffed, and the straps hold them fine. No complaints here!!

[Hedgetrimmer]

That's one reason I don't like soft panniers either Bri, although most of them these days can be adjusted to keep them away from the exhaust. Actually found that all my camping gear will go into the larger of the 2 tailpacks I bought - I've got a lot of lightweight kit that I used for backpacking and hill-walking and it's perfectly suited for on the bike too. Just got to make sure it's all secured on properly. Wales on Monday. Day ride to Brecons on Tuesday. Then probably move north for the rest of the week. Happy days! 
Just caught yours before I posted Christo. We all have our own methods I guess - secure, not overloaded, and not interfering with anything on the bike are the watchwords.

[stevierst]

I've used the old oxford panniers and tail pack every weekend for many years until recently, they're great! I used to wrap old socks or cloth around the bungees where they touched the paint. Fleece material would be better.
I'm mot sure about your new Velcro strap and d ring system, but if you throw enough bungees on, it ain't going nowhere! I regularly strap a 40+kg kitbag to my bike with bungees, and it never moves.

[ChristoT]

Just caught yours before I posted Christo. We all have our own methods I guess - secure, not overloaded, and not interfering with anything on the bike are the watchwords.

Hey, when I pack my bike, it's secure. I never leave without adding a million bungee cords, and checking the load 3 times. As for intefering with the bike, long live modding. 

[Hedgetrimmer]

Stevie, that looks more like my usual way of doing it, so the luggage sits longways with the bike. Heaviest stuff in the bottom of the pack so it's over the pillion seat, lighter stuff in the top so it's not taking weight off the front wheel. This new pack I've got seems to sit more across the bike, but I still don't think it's wider than the bars. Will be buying some new bungees on my way out on Monday, plus I've got a large cargo net that should stretch over the top. I'm really not worried, it'll be fine when I've had a fiddle with it.
Christo, didn't mean to suggest you don't do things properly/safely. Here's Fazer no. 3 in Scotland - looks overloaded, but a lot of thought went into it, well secured, and rode OK.

[dBfazer600]

I am not to keen on traditional bungees but they do have their uses. I use Zuru Raptor Bungees and yes I did question their strength and durability but to be honest once you've tried them you will not go back. I have never had an issue with marking the bike.
 
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BXDRLR8/ref=s9_simh_gw_p60_d0_i2?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=1B09Y62CSW66NGQN4YEW&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=358549207&pf_rd_i=468294
 
Daz

[Hedgetrimmer]

Thanks dB, I'll get a proper look at those when I've got more time.

[Hedgetrimmer]

Oxford X30 tankbag. One criticism. Only two decent bungee rings to attach to, unlike my old Humpback Oxford one, which had two at each end. I like to bungee the tank bag on because I always use something soft to protect the paint, so the effectiveness of the magnets is reduced, but if you look at my photo of the bike in front of Llyn Brianne dam (A Few Days In Wales thread) you may notice the tankbag is mounted back-to-front. This puts the two d-rings at the rider end. The way I bungee it, bungees around the front frame portions (being very careful not to snag cables, HT leads etc) with the bag the right way round, tended to pull the front down, leaving the back sticking up. Otherwise, as good as the old one
Oh, and they don't give you bungees with the bag anymore - stingy sods!.